Rapid determination of the fatigue curve by the thermographic method

The available methods for the rapid determination of the fatigue limit (Metall. Ital. 27 (1935) 188; Rev. Metall. XVIII (1951) 11) and for the analysis of the dynamic parameters of crack mechanics (ASTM-STP 519, 246; J. Mater. 5 (1970) 4; J. Appl. Mech. 67 (1945) A159; Exp. Mech. 5 (1965) 193; Fatigue Engng Mater. Struct. 1 (1979) 37; J. Basic Eng. Trans. ASME, Ser. D 85 (1963) 528) require the determination of parameters which are highly specialised (KI, J-integral) and often too closely linked to the micro-mechanics of the material, downgrading the engineering aspects of the problem and its design definition. Following their research into the use of the thermographic method to determine the dynamic properties of materials and components commonly used in the industrial sector (hereafter called the Risitano method [Int. J. Fatigue Mater. Struct. Components 22/1 (1999) 65]), the authors now present a procedure for the definition of the whole fatigue curve.